US4144309A - Device for dispensing microcide formed when device is in environment of use - Google Patents
Device for dispensing microcide formed when device is in environment of use Download PDFInfo
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- US4144309A US4144309A US05/804,961 US80496177A US4144309A US 4144309 A US4144309 A US 4144309A US 80496177 A US80496177 A US 80496177A US 4144309 A US4144309 A US 4144309A
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- environment
- formaldehyde
- microcide
- polymer
- dispensing
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- VXIVSQZSERGHQP-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloroacetamide Chemical compound NC(=O)CCl VXIVSQZSERGHQP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Formaldehyde Chemical compound O=C WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 97
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 36
- 229930040373 Paraformaldehyde Natural products 0.000 claims description 8
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-NJFSPNSNSA-N methanone Chemical compound O=[14CH2] WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-NJFSPNSNSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920002866 paraformaldehyde Polymers 0.000 description 4
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 230000000249 desinfective effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- UFWIBTONFRDIAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Naphthalene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC2=CC=CC=C21 UFWIBTONFRDIAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 240000004808 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000014680 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Vinyl chloride Chemical compound ClC=C BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000001241 acetals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000005038 ethylene vinyl acetate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000228197 Aspergillus flavus Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000228245 Aspergillus niger Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000222122 Candida albicans Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004709 Chlorinated polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000222290 Cladosporium Species 0.000 description 1
- XFXPMWWXUTWYJX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Cyanide Chemical compound N#[C-] XFXPMWWXUTWYJX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000194032 Enterococcus faecalis Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001480036 Epidermophyton floccosum Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000588724 Escherichia coli Species 0.000 description 1
- JIGUQPWFLRLWPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl acrylate Chemical compound CCOC(=O)C=C JIGUQPWFLRLWPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000192125 Firmicutes Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000228404 Histoplasma capsulatum Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000588748 Klebsiella Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000588915 Klebsiella aerogenes Species 0.000 description 1
- CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M Methacrylate Chemical compound CC(=C)C([O-])=O CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl methacrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C(C)=C VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229930183781 Mycobactin Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005062 Polybutadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001328 Polyvinylidene chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 241000588770 Proteus mirabilis Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000588767 Proteus vulgaris Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000589517 Pseudomonas aeruginosa Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000235546 Rhizopus stolonifer Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001045770 Trichophyton mentagrophytes Species 0.000 description 1
- XTXRWKRVRITETP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Vinyl acetate Chemical compound CC(=O)OC=C XTXRWKRVRITETP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002433 Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 description 1
- DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetaldehyde Diethyl Acetal Natural products CCOC(C)OCC DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920006243 acrylic copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940095731 candida albicans Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020971 citrus fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940092559 enterobacter aerogenes Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 125000002573 ethenylidene group Chemical group [*]=C=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- SUPCQIBBMFXVTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate Chemical compound CCOC(=O)C(C)=C SUPCQIBBMFXVTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001519 homopolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 208000015181 infectious disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002262 irrigation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003973 irrigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- XZGYBQIQSLSHDH-COEJQBHMSA-N mycobactin Chemical compound C1CCCN(O)C(=O)C1NC(=O)C(C)C(CC)OC(=O)C(CCCCN(O)C(=O)\C=C/CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC)NC(=O)C(N=1)COC=1C1=C(C)C=CC=C1O XZGYBQIQSLSHDH-COEJQBHMSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PNJWIWWMYCMZRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N pent‐4‐en‐2‐one Natural products CC(=O)CC=C PNJWIWWMYCMZRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002037 poly(vinyl butyral) polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000058 polyacrylate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002857 polybutadiene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001748 polybutylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000570 polyether Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001195 polyisoprene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005033 polyvinylidene chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940007042 proteus vulgaris Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000009790 rate-determining step (RDS) Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000979 retarding effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009182 swimming Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
- A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
- A61L2/204—Formaldehyde
Definitions
- This invention pertains to a dispensing device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device comprising a polymer housing a different polymer that undergoes depolymerization to formaldehyde and is dispersed by the device for controlling the presence of micro-organisms in an environment of use.
- formaldehyde is a colorless gas possessing disinfectant and microcidal properties, and it is used as a solution consisting of formaldehyde in water, or it is used in vapor form; see The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 7th edition, by Rose, A., et al, page 429, 1968 published by Reinhold Corporation, New York. While, formaldehyde can be used in these forms, certain disadvantages are associated with their use.
- 1,083,561 discloses formaldehyde in solid cake form consisting of formaldehyde, cyanide, naphthalene, petroleum and other ingredients useful as a disinfectant. This form also is unsuited because formaldehyde per se is in the cake which is constantly released as vapors, and also because the cake lacks a means for releasing formaldehyde upon demand in a controlled manner over a required period of time. It will be appreciated by those versed in the subject art in the light of the above presentation that a critical need exists for a device that dispenses formaldehyde when needed at a controlled rate over a required time.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a device which contains a polymer that depolymerizes when the device is in use to formaldehyde and is dispensed by the device for controlling the presence of micro-organisms.
- Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for dispensing formaldehyde and which device dispenses formaldehyde upon demand to a preselected environment or article of manufacture.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide a device that when externalluy motivated forms in situ a microcide that is dispensed from the device for controlling the presence of micro-organisms.
- This invention concerns a dispensing device containing a polymer that is converted to a microcide when the device is in use.
- the device consists of a first polymer housing a different polymer which latter polymer is converted to the microcide formaldehyde for controlling the presence of micro-organisms in a preselected environment or article of manufacture.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a dispensing device made according to the invention which device produces an active microcide
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through 2--2 of FIG. 1 depicting the interior structure of the dispensing device.
- device 10 consists essentially of a body 11 shaped, sized and adapted for placement in an environment of use or for disinfecting an article of manufacture.
- Device 10 has at least one surface 11, or device 10 has a multiplicity of surfaces 12, 13 and 14 for dispensing a microcide from device 10.
- Body 11 can embrace any preselected geometric shape such as square, round, rectangle, triangle, crescent, circle and the like.
- Device 10 can be manufactured as a sheet, film, strip, envelope, cylindrical rod, solid matrix, sponge, prism of various cross-section such as cruciform or hexagonal, or the like.
- device 10 is tubular shaped and it has an internal lumen 14, seen as a dotted line, that extends the length of device 10.
- Lumen 14 increases the exposed surface area of device 10 for dispensing larger amounts of microcide therefrom.
- Device 10 optionally is sized to fit the need and it can be from 0.001 micron to 16 centimeters thick or larger, from 1 to 300 millimeters long or larger, and have a cross-section of from 1 to 300 millimeters or larger.
- device 10 can be a hollow cylinder having a wall thickness of 1.5 cm, a length of 10 cm, and a diameter of 4.5 cm for dispensing microcide to the surrounding atmosphere for a prolonged period of time such as 30 to 40 days or longer.
- dispensing device 10 is seen in cross-section along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
- device 10 comprises a body 11 formed of a first polymer 15 housing a second polymer 16.
- Polymer 15 is formed of a material that permits the passage of external moisture into polymer 15 and permits passage of polymer 16, depolymerized products and solutions of polymer 16 from polymer 15 to the exterior of device 10. A detailed description of materials and the mode of operation of device 10 appears later in the disclosure.
- Device 10 used for the purpose of the invention consists of a body 11 formed of a polymeric material 15 that permits the passage of fluid, a different polymer and the depolymerized product of the different polymer and the solutions containing the depolymerized polymer.
- Representative polymers suitable for forming body 11 include acrylic polymers and copolymers of methacrylate, ethylacrylate, ethylmethacrylate and methylmethacrylate; homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl chloride including vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer; chlorinated vinyl chloride; polyethylene; polypropylene; ethylene-propylene copolymer; chlorinated polyethylene; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; styrene-butadiene copolymer; acrylonitrite-styrene-butadiene copolymer; polyvinylidene chloride; vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymers; vinyliden
- a polymer 16 used for producing the microcide is paraformaldehyde, which defined as a polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of the cyclic tripolymer of the general formula (CH 2 O) n wherein n is 3, and the linear polymer of the general formula HO(CH 2 O) m H wherein m is 3 to 125.
- These polymers are white crystalline solids and in the presence of moisture they undergo depolymerization to yield the water soluble microcide and disinfectant formaldehyde; see the Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, by Kirk Othmer, Volume 10, page 81, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
- device 10 formed of the first polymer housing the depolymerizable polymer is moisture-activated by fluid entering the first polymer from the surroundings causing (1) the depolymerizable polymer to depolymerize to formaldehyde which as formaldehyde vapors or as a solution containing formaldehyde migrates to the exterior of the device, or (2) the depolymerizable polymers migrate to the exterior of the device and in the presence of moisture is converted to vaporous formaldehyde or a solution containing formaldehyde.
- formaldehyde acts as a microcide or disinfectant to control the presence of micro-organisms.
- the amount of cyclic or linear polymer housed in the device can vary depending on the need, and it will usually be about 0.001% to 60% by weight based on the weight of the dispensing device. Generally, in the presence of moisture, the cyclic and linear polymers are converted up to 99% formaldehyde, which is released over a prolonged period of time. For devices having low permeability to moisture, the time can be a year or longer.
- controlling the presence of micro-organisms means in the general context of this invention, killing, preventing and/or retarding the presence or propagation of micro-organisms in a preselected environment or article of manufacture.
- environment of use includes positioning the dispensing device in selected areas of hospital rooms, laboratories, animal quarters, bathrooms, space vehicles, swimming pools, stagnant water, fumigate stored citrus fruits, railroad cars, irrigation canals, animal dips, and the like.
- the device is used in combination with patient care apparatus for preventing infection of patients.
- the present application and our copending application are assigned to the ALZA Corporation of Palo Alto, Calif.
- article of manufacture includes germ-free boxes, garment bags, mattresses, pillows and covers, garbage cans, and like articles in need of disinfecting thereof.
- microcide and disinfectant refers to the ability of the formaldehyde dispensed or formed in the environment to kill, cleanse, prevent, and/or retard the presence or propagation of harmful or unwanted micro-organisms as defined supra.
- the micro-organisms include the fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus nigricans, Cladosporium herbarium, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Histoplasma capsulatum, and the like.
- micro-organsims also includes antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Staphyloccus aureus Streptococcus faecalis, Klebsiella, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, other gram-negative bacteria, and other gram-positive bacteria, mycobactin and the like.
- the term also embraces yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida Albicans, and the like. Additionally, spores of micro-organisms, viruses and the like, are within the intent of the invention.
- a dispensing device of tubular shape was made as follows: first, 45 grams of powdered, white solid polymeric paraformaldehyde were blended for 10 to 15 minutes at 35° to 45° C. on a two-roller mill with 55 grams of powdered, transparent ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, having a vinyl acetate content of 28% by weight, to produce a film consisting essentially of a homogenous dispersion of depolymerizable paraformaldehyde in the copolymer. Next, the film was ground in a rotary knife grinder to produce particles sized 1/16 to 1/8 inches, averaged size, and the particles then transferred to the hopper of an extruder.
- the particles were extruded through a tubing dye at 60° to 70° C. to yield the dispensing device.
- the device had an outside diameter of 5.2 mm, an inside diameter of 2.2 mm, and a length of 5 cm.
- the dispensing device exhibited a steady-state delivery of an effective amount of free formaldehyde, when the device was moisture activated, at the rate of 220 ⁇ g/hr-cm of device, which level is low enough to prevent micro-organism growth.
- the rate limiting step for the production of formaldehyde in situ is the chemical reaction consisting of the depolymerization of the polymeric paraformaldehyde to formaldehyde when the device is in use.
- the devices are stored in dry packages to prevent premature contact with moisture.
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- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
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Abstract
A device for dispensing a microcide which consists of a first polymeric material housing a second polymeric material which second material depolymerizes when the device is in the environment of use to form an active microcide. The microcide controls the presence of micro-organisms in the environment over a prolonged period of time.
Description
This invention pertains to a dispensing device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device comprising a polymer housing a different polymer that undergoes depolymerization to formaldehyde and is dispersed by the device for controlling the presence of micro-organisms in an environment of use.
It has long been recognized that it is highly desirable to control the presence of unwanted micro-organisms in all kinds of environments and to substantially maintain certain articles of manufacture free therefrom. One agent widely used for this purpose is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas possessing disinfectant and microcidal properties, and it is used as a solution consisting of formaldehyde in water, or it is used in vapor form; see The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 7th edition, by Rose, A., et al, page 429, 1968 published by Reinhold Corporation, New York. While, formaldehyde can be used in these forms, certain disadvantages are associated with their use. For example, when formaldehyde is used as a vapor, the environment or the article needing disinfecting or to be made substantially free of micro-organisms must be tightly sealed to prevent a rapid loss of vapors which inherently defeats obtaining the intended results. Likewise, when formaldehyde is used in solution form, the vapors quickly escape from the solution and make it ineffective for the intended purpose. That is, formaldehyde in these forms is not available only when needed, and these forms are unsuited for the release of formaldehyde at a required time for applying to a preselected environment or article of manufacture for its known effects, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,332. U.S. Pat. No. 1,083,561 discloses formaldehyde in solid cake form consisting of formaldehyde, cyanide, naphthalene, petroleum and other ingredients useful as a disinfectant. This form also is unsuited because formaldehyde per se is in the cake which is constantly released as vapors, and also because the cake lacks a means for releasing formaldehyde upon demand in a controlled manner over a required period of time. It will be appreciated by those versed in the subject art in the light of the above presentation that a critical need exists for a device that dispenses formaldehyde when needed at a controlled rate over a required time.
Accordingly, it is an immediate object of this invention to make available to the art a device that dispenses a microcide and which device overcomes the shortcomings associated with the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which contains a polymer that depolymerizes when the device is in use to formaldehyde and is dispensed by the device for controlling the presence of micro-organisms.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for dispensing formaldehyde and which device dispenses formaldehyde upon demand to a preselected environment or article of manufacture.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device that when externalluy motivated forms in situ a microcide that is dispensed from the device for controlling the presence of micro-organisms.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention, it is believed, will be apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments, the drawings and the accompanying claims.
This invention concerns a dispensing device containing a polymer that is converted to a microcide when the device is in use. The device consists of a first polymer housing a different polymer which latter polymer is converted to the microcide formaldehyde for controlling the presence of micro-organisms in a preselected environment or article of manufacture.
In the drawings, which are not drawn to scale, but are set forth to illustrate various embodiments of the invention, the figures are as follows:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a dispensing device made according to the invention which device produces an active microcide; and
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through 2--2 of FIG. 1 depicting the interior structure of the dispensing device.
In the drawings and specification, like parts in related Figures are identified by like numbers. The terms appearing earlier in the specification and in the description of the drawings as well as embodiments thereof, are further described elsewhere in the disclosure.
Turning now to the drawings in detail, which are an example of a new and useful device for dispensing a microcide and made according to the mode and the manner of the invention, and which example is not to be construed as limiting, one device is indicated in FIG. 1, by the numeral 10. In FIG. 1, device 10 consists essentially of a body 11 shaped, sized and adapted for placement in an environment of use or for disinfecting an article of manufacture. Device 10 has at least one surface 11, or device 10 has a multiplicity of surfaces 12, 13 and 14 for dispensing a microcide from device 10. Body 11 can embrace any preselected geometric shape such as square, round, rectangle, triangle, crescent, circle and the like. Device 10 can be manufactured as a sheet, film, strip, envelope, cylindrical rod, solid matrix, sponge, prism of various cross-section such as cruciform or hexagonal, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, device 10 is tubular shaped and it has an internal lumen 14, seen as a dotted line, that extends the length of device 10. Lumen 14 increases the exposed surface area of device 10 for dispensing larger amounts of microcide therefrom. Device 10 optionally is sized to fit the need and it can be from 0.001 micron to 16 centimeters thick or larger, from 1 to 300 millimeters long or larger, and have a cross-section of from 1 to 300 millimeters or larger. In a representative embodiment, device 10 can be a hollow cylinder having a wall thickness of 1.5 cm, a length of 10 cm, and a diameter of 4.5 cm for dispensing microcide to the surrounding atmosphere for a prolonged period of time such as 30 to 40 days or longer.
Referring to FIG. 2, dispensing device 10 is seen in cross-section along line 2--2 of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, device 10 comprises a body 11 formed of a first polymer 15 housing a second polymer 16. Polymer 15 is formed of a material that permits the passage of external moisture into polymer 15 and permits passage of polymer 16, depolymerized products and solutions of polymer 16 from polymer 15 to the exterior of device 10. A detailed description of materials and the mode of operation of device 10 appears later in the disclosure.
Representative of a polymer 16 used for producing the microcide is paraformaldehyde, which defined as a polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of the cyclic tripolymer of the general formula (CH2 O)n wherein n is 3, and the linear polymer of the general formula HO(CH2 O)m H wherein m is 3 to 125. These polymers are white crystalline solids and in the presence of moisture they undergo depolymerization to yield the water soluble microcide and disinfectant formaldehyde; see the Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, by Kirk Othmer, Volume 10, page 81, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. In operation, device 10 formed of the first polymer housing the depolymerizable polymer is moisture-activated by fluid entering the first polymer from the surroundings causing (1) the depolymerizable polymer to depolymerize to formaldehyde which as formaldehyde vapors or as a solution containing formaldehyde migrates to the exterior of the device, or (2) the depolymerizable polymers migrate to the exterior of the device and in the presence of moisture is converted to vaporous formaldehyde or a solution containing formaldehyde. In either operation, formaldehyde acts as a microcide or disinfectant to control the presence of micro-organisms. The amount of cyclic or linear polymer housed in the device can vary depending on the need, and it will usually be about 0.001% to 60% by weight based on the weight of the dispensing device. Generally, in the presence of moisture, the cyclic and linear polymers are converted up to 99% formaldehyde, which is released over a prolonged period of time. For devices having low permeability to moisture, the time can be a year or longer.
The expression "controlling the presence of micro-organisms" as used herein means in the general context of this invention, killing, preventing and/or retarding the presence or propagation of micro-organisms in a preselected environment or article of manufacture. The term "environment of use" includes positioning the dispensing device in selected areas of hospital rooms, laboratories, animal quarters, bathrooms, space vehicles, swimming pools, stagnant water, fumigate stored citrus fruits, railroad cars, irrigation canals, animal dips, and the like. In our copending patent application Ser. No. 804,962 filed June 9, 1977 the device is used in combination with patient care apparatus for preventing infection of patients. The present application and our copending application are assigned to the ALZA Corporation of Palo Alto, Calif. The term "article of manufacture" includes germ-free boxes, garment bags, mattresses, pillows and covers, garbage cans, and like articles in need of disinfecting thereof.
The terms microcide and disinfectant as used herein refers to the ability of the formaldehyde dispensed or formed in the environment to kill, cleanse, prevent, and/or retard the presence or propagation of harmful or unwanted micro-organisms as defined supra. The micro-organisms include the fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus nigricans, Cladosporium herbarium, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Histoplasma capsulatum, and the like. The term micro-organsims also includes antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Staphyloccus aureus Streptococcus faecalis, Klebsiella, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, other gram-negative bacteria, and other gram-positive bacteria, mycobactin and the like. The term also embraces yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida Albicans, and the like. Additionally, spores of micro-organisms, viruses and the like, are within the intent of the invention.
The following examples will serve to further illustrate the present invention, but the invention is not intended to be limited thereto.
A dispensing device of tubular shape was made as follows: first, 45 grams of powdered, white solid polymeric paraformaldehyde were blended for 10 to 15 minutes at 35° to 45° C. on a two-roller mill with 55 grams of powdered, transparent ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, having a vinyl acetate content of 28% by weight, to produce a film consisting essentially of a homogenous dispersion of depolymerizable paraformaldehyde in the copolymer. Next, the film was ground in a rotary knife grinder to produce particles sized 1/16 to 1/8 inches, averaged size, and the particles then transferred to the hopper of an extruder. Finally, the particles were extruded through a tubing dye at 60° to 70° C. to yield the dispensing device. The device had an outside diameter of 5.2 mm, an inside diameter of 2.2 mm, and a length of 5 cm. The dispensing device exhibited a steady-state delivery of an effective amount of free formaldehyde, when the device was moisture activated, at the rate of 220 μ g/hr-cm of device, which level is low enough to prevent micro-organism growth. The rate limiting step for the production of formaldehyde in situ is the chemical reaction consisting of the depolymerization of the polymeric paraformaldehyde to formaldehyde when the device is in use. The devices are stored in dry packages to prevent premature contact with moisture.
It will be understood by those versed in the disinfectant-microcide art, that in the light of the present specification, drawings and the claims, many embodiments of this invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood the invention is not to be construed as limited, but it embraces all equivalents inherent herein.
Claims (3)
1. A device for dispensing para-formaldehyde to an environment of use, the device consisting essentially of:
(a) a body shaped, sized and adapted for placement in the environment of use, the body formed of a first polymeric material stable in the environment of use and permeable to the passage of moisture and housing a second and different polymer para-formaldehyde;
(b) a surface exposed to the environment of use defining at least one part of the body formed of said first polymeric material for providing formaldehyde to the enviornment of use; and
(c) wherein, when the device is in the environment of use, the first polymeric material provides at the surface thereof para-formaldehyde that is converted in the presence of the moisture in the environment of use to formaldehyde, which formaldehyde substantially controls the presence of unwanted microorganisms in the environment of use over prolonged periods of time.
2. A device for dispensing an active microcide to an environment of use, consisting essentially of:
(a) a shaped body sized and adapted for placement in the environment of use and formed of a first stable polymeric material having a permeability to moisture;
(b) a reservoir formed of a second polymer, different from said first polymer, that consists essentially of para-formaldehyde which depolymerizes in the first polymer material to the active microcide formaldehyde which is confined in the first polymeric material;
(c) a surface exposed to the environment defining at least one part of the body formed of said first polymeric material for dispensing the microcide therefrom; and
(d) wherein the device, when in the environment of use, is moisture activated to dispense microcide by activation resulting from moisture from the environment entering the first polymeric material and contacting the second polymer which thereby depolymerizes in the first polymer, in the presence of said moisture, to the active microcide formaldehyde which is dispensed from the device to the environment of use over a prolonged period of time.
3. The device for dispensing the active microcide according to claim 2 wherein the rate of microcide dispensed from the device is controlled by the rate of depolymerization of the second polymer in the first polymer to the active microcide.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US05/804,961 US4144309A (en) | 1977-06-09 | 1977-06-09 | Device for dispensing microcide formed when device is in environment of use |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US05/804,961 US4144309A (en) | 1977-06-09 | 1977-06-09 | Device for dispensing microcide formed when device is in environment of use |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US4144309A true US4144309A (en) | 1979-03-13 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US05/804,961 Expired - Lifetime US4144309A (en) | 1977-06-09 | 1977-06-09 | Device for dispensing microcide formed when device is in environment of use |
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US (1) | US4144309A (en) |
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US4445889A (en) * | 1977-06-09 | 1984-05-01 | Alza Corporation | Method for delivering an agent with biocidal activity in a body fluid receiving container |
US4728498A (en) * | 1981-11-02 | 1988-03-01 | Alza Corporation | Process for disinfecting article with device dispensing chlorine donor and chlorine acceptor |
US4817868A (en) * | 1987-06-05 | 1989-04-04 | Dow Corning Corp. | Carrier for scented material |
US5104390A (en) * | 1988-09-01 | 1992-04-14 | Alza Corporation | Fluid receiving receptacle comprising biocide delivery system contacting outside of receptacle |
US5176665A (en) * | 1991-01-18 | 1993-01-05 | Alza Corporation | Antimicrobial device for urine drainage container |
US5288461A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1994-02-22 | Teledyne Industries, Inc. | Fluid treatment system |
US20190191895A1 (en) * | 2017-12-26 | 2019-06-27 | Michael Shek | Pillow |
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US20190191895A1 (en) * | 2017-12-26 | 2019-06-27 | Michael Shek | Pillow |
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